Pregnant Davenport pulls out of Challenge
Organisers of the Watsons Water Champions Challenge were last night searching for another marquee player to replace mother-to-be Lindsay Davenport.
Three-time grand slam winner Davenport pulled out of the January 3-6 tournament at Victoria Park after learning she was expecting her first child next year.
Tournament co-director Terry Catton was calling his contacts around the world to see who would be available.
'Lindsay's agent called me and said I have some good news and some bad news,' Catton said last night. 'The good news is Lindsay is pregnant and the bad news is she won't be coming to your tournament. The doctor told her she cannot play.'
The 30-year-old Davenport told ESPN.com she had 'no plans to play again'.
'I hate the word 'retirement', but this season was such a struggle physically and I can't imagine playing again. I can't say there's any sadness yet about missing tennis. My life is with my husband and my future child.'
Davenport was part of a stellar cast for the Champions Challenge, which is headlined by Russian pin-up Maria Sharapova and includes defending champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium, Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva, Czech Nicole Vaidisova and Chinese stars Zheng Jie and Yan Zi.
'There are tournaments in Australia, including the Hopman Cup, and in Auckland at the same time as our event and we are trying to find out which players do not have commitments,' Catton said.
Junior Wimbledon champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark will be here as a tennis 'ambassador', but Catton intends to keep her as cover in case of injury. Serena Williams pulled out with a knee injury after losing her first match at this year's event.
Catton said the return of Sharapova and the presence of Zheng, who won the Asian Games gold medal on Wednesday, and Yan had a dramatic effect on ticket sales. 'On the first day we had a 500 per cent increase in sales,' Catton said.
